While Christmas in New Zealand often means long summer evenings, BBQs, and beach trips, across the globe in Europe it’s a very different story. Think twinkling fairy lights, mulled wine warming your hands, snowy backdrops, and centuries-old traditions. The magic of European Christmas markets is something every Kiwi traveller should experience at least once.
If you’re dreaming of swapping your jandals for a woolly scarf this holiday season, here’s your guide to the very best European Christmas markets, featuring iconic favourites like Vienna, Bruges, Strasbourg, Nuremberg, Cologne, and Munich.
Because nowhere else does Christmas quite like Europe! Picture this: historic town squares twinkling with fairy lights, cobbled streets lined with wooden stalls, and the air filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. Choirs sing carols under towering Christmas trees, while you wander from stall to stall hunting for ornaments, trinkets, and treats you won’t find anywhere else.
And the best part? Every city adds its own twist. Sip spicy glühwein in Germany, snack on gooey waffles in Belgium, tuck into raclette in France, or nibble honey-drenched pastries in Greece. It’s sightseeing, shopping, and snacking all rolled into one magical experience.
For Kiwis looking to combine sightseeing with a truly atmospheric winter holiday, these markets are the ultimate experience.
Europe boasts an array of incredible Christmas markets, each with its own unique charm. From fairy-tale squares to glittering boulevards, here are 15 of the very best to add to your holiday itinerary:
Vienna is known for its Christmas Markets. The Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) is one of the most spectacular in Europe. With the neo-Gothic building glowing in the background and more than 100 stalls to explore, it’s like stepping into a fairy tale. You can lace up your skates for a spin around the ice rink or wander through stalls piled with handcrafted ornaments and festive treats. Food lovers won’t go hungry; try roast chestnuts, fluffy cream-filled pastries, and fladenbrot (flatbread piled with delicious toppings). Wash it down with a mug of steaming Christmas punch to warm up in true Viennese style.
Few places capture the magic of Christmas quite like Bruges. The Bruges Christmas Market transforms the medieval Markt Square into a true winter wonderland. Wooden chalets sparkle with fairy lights, an ice rink glistens beneath the Belfry tower, and the scent of Belgian waffles and spiced hot chocolate drifts through the cobbled streets.
This is the perfect spot for picking up handmade gifts, indulging in Belgian beer, or treating yourself to pralines and truffles. For those with a sweet tooth, a chocolate-making workshop at Choco-Story is a must, while beer lovers can join a tasting or brewery tour to sample Belgium’s world-famous brews. Take a horse and carriage ride through the historic streets, or follow the Winter Glow light trail, which illuminates the city’s canals and architecture in dazzling colour. Movie buffs will also enjoy spotting filming locations from the cult favourite In Bruges.
Strasbourg proudly claims the title of Capital of Christmas, with its market dating back to 1570, making it one of the very oldest in Europe. Today, the festivities sprawl across the city’s UNESCO-listed Grande Île, where more than 300 wooden chalets line the squares and streets. Each stall brims with handmade decorations, gifts, and Alsatian specialties like bredele (spiced Christmas biscuits) and flammekueche (a delicious thin flatbread topped with cream, onions, and bacon).
Stroll beneath sparkling chandeliers of lights, browse for festive treasures, and admire the towering Christmas tree in Place Kléber. From the scents of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts to choirs filling the air with carols, Strasbourg is Christmas magic at its finest.
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most famous and traditional Christmas markets in the world. Held in the Hauptmarkt square, the market is instantly recognisable for its rows of red-and-white striped stalls, selling everything from wooden toys to Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts).
The true star here is the Nürnberger Lebkuchen, the city’s world-famous spiced gingerbread that has been baked here for centuries and is protected by EU designation. Pair it with a steaming mug of glühwein (mulled wine) or even a festive Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic punch) for the ultimate German Christmas experience.
Munich’s Marienplatz Christmas Market is set against the backdrop of the stunning Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). A towering Christmas tree adorned with thousands of lights sparkles above the stalls, where you can browse for carved wooden ornaments, nutcrackers, and handmade gifts. Don’t miss the chance to try bratwurst straight from the grill or a warm slice of stollen (fruit bread with marzipan). With choirs performing carols on the Rathaus balcony, the atmosphere is pure Bavarian Christmas cheer.
Cologne’s Christmas market is one of Europe’s most atmospheric, set right beneath the spires of the city’s iconic Gothic cathedral. More than 150 stalls spread across the square, each one glowing under a canopy of twinkling lights. You’ll find everything from handcrafted gifts and wooden toys to festive ornaments and sweet treats.
Food is a big highlight here: tuck into crispy Reibekuchen (potato pancakes served with apple sauce), roasted almonds, and warm gingerbread. And while glühwein is the classic choice, Cologne adds a local twist with frothy glasses of Kölsch beer served in festive mugs. Speaking of mugs — hot drinks here are served in decorated, limited-edition cups unique to each market. You pay a small deposit (called Pfand), and if you decide not to return it, the mug becomes a fun and practical souvenir. This charming tradition is common across German Christmas markets, and many travellers love to collect a mug from every city they visit.
Prague’s Christmas markets look like something straight out of a storybook. The main markets in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square sparkle under the city’s famous Gothic architecture. Wooden huts sell handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and hearty Czech snacks, while the towering Christmas tree and daily carol concerts make it one of the most atmospheric markets in Europe. Don’t leave without trying a trdelník — a warm pastry rolled in sugar and nuts.
Paris shines even brighter in December, with its grand boulevards draped in sparkling lights and festive cheer everywhere you turn. The Tuileries Christmas Market, right beside the Louvre, is a highlight — a bustling wonderland of stalls selling French delicacies like crêpes, raclette, and roasted chestnuts, alongside handcrafted ornaments and gifts. For even more atmosphere, explore the Christmas village in Montmartre or take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées, where dazzling light displays make the iconic avenue glow with seasonal magic.
Festivities in Paris don’t end on Christmas Day. The Galette des Rois (King’s Cake) is a beloved French tradition celebrated on 6 January (Epiphany). This flaky puff pastry filled with frangipane (almond cream) hides a small charm known as a fève. The person who finds it in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day — a sweet way to keep the holiday spirit alive well into the new year.
Rome’s Piazza Navona Christmas Market is steeped in tradition and charm. The grand baroque square comes alive each December with colourful stalls selling toys, sweets, and beautifully crafted nativity figurines — an Italian Christmas essential. Children adore the vintage carousel, while adults can indulge in torrone (chewy nougat), roasted chestnuts, or a thick and creamy Italian-style hot chocolate. Surrounded by fountains and centuries-old buildings, the setting blends festive fun with a true sense of Roman history.
London does Christmas in style, and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is the UK’s biggest festive celebration. It’s more than just a market – there are rollercoasters, circus shows, live music, and an enormous ice rink. For a more traditional vibe, check out Southbank Centre’s riverside Christmas Market, where stalls brim with artisan gifts, mulled cider, and festive foods from around the world.
The Dublin Castle Christmas Market is set against one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, creating a storybook backdrop for a festive day out. Wooden chalets line the castle courtyard, offering local crafts, artisanal gifts, and seasonal treats. Warm your hands around a cup of mulled wine or a classic hot whiskey, a true Irish winter warmer.
Beyond the market, Dublin’s streets sparkle with festive magic. Grafton Street is unmissable, with dazzling Christmas lights, decorated shop windows, and buskers filling the air with music. From carol singers to impromptu street performances, the city is alive with atmosphere. And, of course, you’ll always find a cosy pub nearby, ready to welcome you in from the cold. Irish hospitality makes Dublin’s Christmas feel as warm as it is festive.
Athens offers a slightly different twist on Christmas, where festive spirit shines under the Mediterranean sun. Syntagma Square becomes the heart of the city’s celebrations, with light displays, Christmas markets, and family-friendly entertainment. Stalls sell handmade gifts and seasonal treats, while choirs and concerts add to the lively atmosphere.
No visit to Greece at Christmas is complete without sampling traditional sweets. Melomakarona (honey-soaked biscuits topped with walnuts) and kourabiedes (powdery almond shortbread cookies) are holiday staples in every Greek home. Street vendors also serve warm koulouri (sesame bread rings) and festive drinks to keep the cheer flowing.
While Christmas isn’t a traditional Turkish holiday, Istanbul has warmly embraced the festive season with its own unique flair. The Swissôtel Istanbul Christmas Market is one of the city’s highlights, blending European holiday traditions with Turkish culture. Visitors can browse stalls filled with handmade crafts, sip mulled wine or fragrant Turkish tea, and sample everything from classic European festive favourites to local delights like baklava.
Live entertainment, carols, and family activities add to the atmosphere, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Bosphorus. It’s an experience that feels both familiar and distinctly Turkish.
Manchester’s Christmas Markets have become a true Mancunian tradition, now ranked among the most popular in the UK. Spread right across the city centre — from Albert Square to Piccadilly Gardens — they’re packed with everything from German beer halls and bratwurst to independent stalls showcasing local crafts and gifts.
Food and drink are the stars of the show. Warm your hands around a steaming cup of hot Vimto (a much-loved Manchester original), or dig into hearty northern comfort food — think Yorkshire pudding wraps, giant pigs in blankets, and sticky toffee puddings. The atmosphere is buzzing, with live music, festive bars, and thousands of twinkling lights.
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens turn into a winter wonderland each December. Thousands of fairy lights transform the 19th-century amusement park into a magical setting, complete with wooden chalets, Christmas rides, and an ice rink. Sip on hot gløgg (mulled wine), snack on Danish æbleskiver (pancake puffs), and watch the spectacular light show over Tivoli Lake. It’s cosy, romantic, and perfectly Scandinavian.
Top Tip: Check exact dates before you book — they change slightly each year, but mid- to late November through to Christmas is a safe bet for most cities.
From Vienna’s storybook squares to Bruges’ canals, Strasbourg’s glittering streets to Cologne’s cathedral backdrop, Europe’s Christmas markets each offer their own kind of magic. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine, hunting for handcrafted gifts, or simply soaking up the festive glow, visiting these markets is more than a shopping trip, it’s a celebration of culture, history, and tradition.
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